Dilemmas in the Study of Information

This thought-provoking book identifies the limits of the field of information science, and thus raises very real problems of the discipline in the context of people using, misusing, and abusing information. S. D. Neill provides many examples of the uses of information to illustrate how difficult it is to work with. In particular, he highlights problems of information scientists using information to study information. It is the author's contention that information use problems are, in certain instances, insoluble dilemmas, for they are grounded in human nature and can be solved only by altering that nature.Neill analyzes certain events to show that while sufficient information was available, it wasn't used--either because of greed, personality, or judgement. Information is power if, and only if, you have enough knowledge to understand it, the will to use it, and the ability to communicate it. The dilemmas are found in the control of information for retrieval, the use of data originally collected for other purposes, and research methods in library and information science.

?Dilemmas in the Study of Information: Exploring the Boundaries of Information Science is by no means quite as simple. It is a complex, and too often complicated, examination of a wide range of the information problems that we as imperfect, reasoning--but not rational--human beings face as we attempt to use, and too often misuse, information. It is an examination that is made more complex by a discussion that concentrates on considering the work of some of the more difficult to understand philosophers and librarians, such as Popper and Dervin, respectively, in an idiosyncratic approach that ranges widely over such dilemmas as human imperfection, information ignored, the quality of information, information overload, and unknown information. Don't be put off by the complexity of Neill's arguments or the apparent difficulty of following his train of thought, which sometimes wanders into fascinating byways. What is hidden here are important elements of the same basic issues that Stieg raises. One needs to stay with it and take this book in small doses. Luckily, the complexity of Neill's arguments is made much more acceptable by the grace and wit with which he writes. He places his own work into a delightful perspective when he concludes, 'Today the sun is warm, and I intend to take my lunch to the high bank of the river, sit by the tumbling waters, and absorb the odors of spring.' We should all do the same from time to time.?-Library Journal, ?He has written a wonderful book. It is a work that is essential reading for anyone interested in information science and should be required reading for any graduate course in information science. The bibliographies at the end of each chapter alone qualify the book as an excellent resource. A really good work enlightens, challenges, and engages the reader's thought and assumptions. Neill's book certainly does that.?-The Library Quarterly, ?It is a relatively rare occurrence that a book is published which seriously examines the philosophy and epistemology of our field. It is refreshing to see a colleague examine hidden issues underlying what we do as "information scientists." Among the problems that we sweep under the rug are these: How objective is the information we manage? What happens to information that is demonstrably "wrong"? What if a client ignores the information we painstakingly retrieve? What if people are so ignorant that they don't know what it is they don't know? S.D. Neill has taken a fearless--and at times disturbing--stab at addressing the questions stated above.?-Journal of the American Society for Information Science., ?This is certainly a recommended purchase for any library supporting library or information studies. It is recommended for reading or sampling by anyone interested in the philosophy of information work, the use or non-use of information, or the nature of research.?- Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science, "He has written a wonderful book. It is a work that is essential reading for anyone interested in information science and should be required reading for any graduate course in information science. The bibliographies at the end of each chapter alone qualify the book as an excellent resource. A really good work enlightens, challenges, and engages the reader's thought and assumptions. Neill's book certainly does that."-The Library Quarterly

S. D. NEILL is one of the founding faculty members of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario. He has published widely on many aspects of librarianship and information science. His main teaching areas are reference work, storytelling for children, and the philosophy of the profession.